Most people who ask about a hairstyling program want to know one thing: will I be able to do this on a real client when I finish? It’s a fair question. Here is what the hairstyling program at Elite Royal International Career College (ERICC) in Scarborough covers, how the training is set up, and what to ask before you enrol.
The short version
The program is 1,500 hours of training over about 50 weeks, delivered in a hybrid in-person format at our campus at 2901 Markham Road. That matches the hours Ontario sets for hairstyling training career college. You spend far more time with a comb and shears in your hands than you do in a chair listening to a lecture.
Cutting and styling
Cutting comes first because everything else depends on it. You start on mannequins, learning how to section hair, hold your tools, and keep lines clean. Then you move on to real heads.
Expect to practise the basics until they are boring: one-length cuts, layers, graduation, and fades. After that come blow-drying, finishing, updos, and braiding. Styling looks easy on Instagram. Doing it on a client with thick, curly, or fine hair, in 40 minutes, is a different skill, and that is where the hours go.
Colour
Colour is where many new stylists feel least sure of themselves, so it gets real time. You learn how colour theory works, how to choose a shade for a client’s skin tone and starting level, and how to mix and apply it. Highlights, toning, and corrective work are part of the picture too.
There is a lot of chemistry underneath, and it matters. You learn why a formula behaves the way it does, so you can fix a mistake instead of just hoping.
Scalp and hair care
Good stylists look at the scalp before they pick up a brush. Training covers hair structure, common scalp conditions, and how to recommend products and treatments that suit the client in front of you. It also teaches you when something is outside your scope and a client should see a doctor.
Sanitation and safety
This is the part nobody posts about, and it might be the most important. Salons in Ontario have to meet hygiene rules, and clients notice when you take them seriously. You learn how to disinfect tools, handle chemicals safely, and set up a clean station every time.
Client service and business skills
Technical skill gets a client into your chair once. Communication brings them back. You practise consultations, listening to what a client wants (which is often not what they first say), and managing expectations when a photo they brought in isn’t realistic for their hair.
There is also a business side: pricing your work, building a client list, and, if you want your own salon one day, what running one involves. Many hairstylists end up working for themselves, so these lessons pay off later.
Practical placement
Classroom hours are only part of the picture. ERICC works with clinics, wellness studios, and other industry partners so students get hands-on experience outside the classroom. Our students tell us the placement is where things click. One graduate of our PSW program wrote that the placement “gave me real hands-on experience.” Ask our admissions team how placement works in the hairstyling program specifically, including how long it lasts and what you’ll be doing.
One thing to ask about: certification
Here is a point that gets skipped on many college websites. In Ontario, finishing a career college hairstyling program does not by itself give you a Certificate of Qualification. Training hours are one piece of the route to becoming a certified hairstylist, and the rest involves the apprenticeship system. Before you enrol, ask any school, including us, exactly how their program connects to apprenticeship and certification. You deserve a clear answer.
Who this program suits
The program tends to work well for people who like working with their hands, don’t mind being on their feet, and enjoy talking to strangers. It also suits people changing careers who want a structured route into the trade. If funding is a concern, look at our pages on educational funding assistance and Better Jobs Ontario, and check the tuition and fees page for current costs.
How to get started
- Read the admission requirements. International students will need proof of English proficiency.
- Book an admissions interview. We want to hear why you’re interested before you commit.
- Visit the campus if you can. Look at the salon floor, the equipment, and the other students.
- When you’re ready, complete your student registration.
Questions first? Call 647-761-0508 or email info@eliteroyalcollege.com. You can also message us on WhatsApp to book a free consultation.
FAQ
How long is the hairstyling program at ERICC?
It is 1,500 hours over about 50 weeks.
Where is the campus?
2901 Markham Road, Unit 2, Scarborough, Ontario M1X 0B7.
Do I need experience?
No. The program starts from the basics. Admissions will look at your interest and motivation in your interview.
Will I get a Certificate of Qualification when I finish?
Not automatically. Ask admissions how the program fits into Ontario’s apprenticeship and certification route.
Is financial help available?
Some students qualify for funding. See our funding assistance page or ask admissions.
